OK, I've seen the first few episodes of this anime and I'm getting on with it pretty well. I don't need to sum up the plot as you can just read the blurb about it on any anime site.
As it's by Studio I.G I usually expect good things because they're a dedicated team, they also have the guts to release titles that might not fair commercially well and this falls in that category.
If you've seen Kai Doh Maru and The Hakkenden and enjoyed them, you'll like this too, it's more of the same: Historical settings, realism and mysticism.
I like the way that we are being introduced to new characters each episode, these characters are 'joining our two heros on their quest' so to speak. That's what makes it feel like The Hakkenden, also in it's pacing. It's fairly slow, there's quite a bit of dialogue and not too much hi-octane action but when there is fighting, it's very realistic and the angels chosen to depict the action are dramatic and engaging.
The artwork isn't too flash, you can tell it's CG, and I was actually disappointed with the backgrounds which are (on the whole) fairly sparse and dull. The cross-hatching style is distinct on rocks/floors/walls and that gives it some character and sense of originality.
The whole ethos of this anime seems to be telling the story and it's not exagerating the characters or their circumstances. It's very down to earth and that is echoed by the simplistic art style too.
I'll be pleaed to see more of this, I wonder if my opinions will change once I get halfway through? If they do, I'll keep you posted
